High-speed rotary buffs



ct. 23, 1956 M. scHLoss HIGHSPEED ROTARY BUFF'S Filed June 2, 1955 INVENTOR. MORRIS SCHLOSS ATTORNEYS 2,767,525 HIGH-SPEED ROTARY BUFFS Morris Schloss, Bronx, N. Y. Application June 2, 1953,Serial No. 359,080 1 Claim. (Cl. 51-193) The present invention pertains to improvements in high-speed rotary buffs.

An object of the present invention is to provide a general purpose annular buffing section embodying the advantageous balance of uniform convolutional inner structure combined with means to impart greatly increased strength to resist centrifugal force, whereby .the buff is adapted for safe operation at very high speeds.

A further object is to provide a bufi'ing section of the above type wherein the plies are combined in pairs made from a longitudinally folded strip of bias-cut fabric with the fold comprising the innersurface of the uniformly spaced convolutions, whereby the presence of cut threads in this Zone is eliminated without ruflling or hemming.

Another object is to provide a buffof the above nature in which the inherent added strength of the uncut inner edges combined in balanced uniform convolutions permits high speed without unduly tight clamping of the inner zone of the annulus, thus allowing cooling air to work outward through the structure.

A further object is to provide a bufr" adapted ifdesired to a relatively soft structure for certain applications, without sacrifice of balance, simplicity and strength.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will becomeevident during the course of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a typical bufiing section embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view in the plane 2-2, Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an exterior edge view of the same;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail interior view of the inner peripheral convolutions;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail section in the same plane as Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a similar enlarged fragmental detail view of an alternative form of the buff structure;

Figure 7 illustrates a folded strip of fabric suitable for making the section shown in Figure 5;

Figure 8 shows a similar strip folded for use in the alternative form shown in Figure 6;

Figure 9 illustrates a folded strip rolled into a cylindrical blank;

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic fragmental view illustrating the action of centrifugal force in a buff having cut inner edges, and

Figure 11 similarly illustrates the action of centrifugal force in a butt having the uncut inner edges of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, numeral generally designates an annulus comprising a plurality of plies of bias-cut bufiing fabric formed together in a series of evenly spaced convolutions 21 at the inner periphery 22, each convolution 21 comprising all the plies of the annulus. The inner convolute zone 23 may be bound in any suitable manner, for example between a stapled ring 24 and hub plate 25 as generally shown in my Patent Numgm'tes tent her 2,673,149; or for certain applications by means of a cord orwire as in my Patent Number 2,576,364, as hereinafter set forth.

The fabric plies are formed in pairs as shown in Figure 5, each pair 26 and 27 being made from a single width of fabric with a fold 28; these closely packed folds 28 comprising the innerexposed edge surface of the convolutions 21-. The section 20 is preferably formed from a single strip 29 of bias-cut fabric as illustrated in Figure 7, the length of the strip being dependent on the number of plies desired in the finished section. The strip is first doubled longitudinally as shown to form the lengthwise fold 28, which latter may'advantageously be ironed to insure its accurate retention during the subsequent forming operatrons.

The double strip is next rolled into a spiral cylinder 30, Figure 9; The cylinder 30' is then collapsed" conically from the end comprising the folded edges while forming the convolutions 21, this operation being carried out preferably by a'mac'hine and method whichare fully set forthin my copending application Serial Number 314,977, filed on October 16', 1952, and accordingly need notlbe further described in detail herein. By this means the cylinder 30 'isconverted to-the annulus20, the binding ring 24 and hub plate 25 or othersuitable binding means being applied to retain the convolutions 21 in their closely packed uniform relation. This relation, which insures substantially perfect'rotary balance and imparts inherent mutual supporting strength to adjacent plies, is achieved withavoidance of gathers, 'rufiles and the like required .by various prior'buif structures and which render close and balanced conformity of the plies impossible. It will be obvious that the substantially perfect balance renders the section particularly adapted to high speed operation. However, in "the present invention a second qualification for high speed, namely resistanceto centrifugal force, is greatly augmented-by the folded or un-cut inner edges 28 embodied in the convolutions 21 as previously noted. The reason for the greatly increased strength is illustrated in fragmentah-Figures 1t) and 11.

Referring to Figure 10, the numeral 31 indicates in enlarged detail an inner edge portion of bias-cut fabric comprising all of a plurality of plies held together by means such as a staple-3'2, the fabric having the usual bias-cut edge 33. When acted upon by centrifugal force as indicated by the arrows, the outward push of the fabric against the staple 32 tends to pry apart or unravel the threads 34 at 35, the only restraining force against such failure being that of friction. On the other hand, in a doubled inner edge portion 36 embodying the fold 28, Figure 11, the rupturing tendency of the centrifugal force is resisted not only by friction but also by the tensile strength of the uncut threads 37 themselves, resulting in a resistive strength for a pair of plies 2627 much greater than that of any two plies having the cut edges 33 as in Figure 10.

It will be noted that the twin-ply provision of the present invention achieves the described high-strength uncut inner edge structure in bias-cut fabric without the use of a hem. It thereby not only promotes economy in manufacture but also avoids the liability of bunching and resultant irregularity in the convolutions 21, lack of close and even compliance between adjacent plies, and related liability to V looseness and unbalance. Similarly, the high hub-zone strength is achieved without use of adhesives, which latter also present an undesirable manufacturing process and result in an inferior operational structure, as the adhesives form an insulating zone impervious to proper air infiltration and thus tend to promote overheating, particularly with high speed operation.

The basic structure embodying the folded plies 26 and 27 is adapted to two alternative detail forms for differing Patented Oct. 23, 1956 1 device is of the variety j relatively soft woof or ture provides alternately forward sloping and rearward- In the first type, illustrated in Figure 5, .27 both extend equally to the outer This produces a bufi having fabric content and in which,

types of service. 1 the plies 26 and periphery of the section. maximum circumferential due to the close mutual supporting relation of all plies resulting from the convolute construction, maximum firmness and hardness may be embodied, making a generalpurpose buff adapted to heavy pressures and high speeds.

When the bias-cut fabric embodied in this form of the having relatively stiff warp and filler threads, the twin-ply strucsloping warp thread ply distribution throughout the lateral extent of the bulfs periphery, with resultant uniform bufling action for avoidance of 'streaks". ric is of a type having no substantial difference in warp and woof, as for instance in the case of certain kinds of duck, the lateral uniformity of buffing effect obviously is also retained.

For service requiring a soft type of butt, the section may be constructed as shown in Figure 6, wherein the ply 38 of each pair extends to the periphery while the connected ply 39 is of lesser radial extent. For, this purpose :the section is made in the same manner as previously described except thatthe bias-cutfabric strip 40 is folded with the fold 28 defining the unequal ply portions 38 and 39 as shown in Figure 8. Since the completed bufling section 40, Figure 6, embodies the same regular convolutions 21 and uncut inner ply edges 28 which in combination impart inherent balance and high strength as previously set forth, it is similarly adapted to very high speed operation. The desired soft elfect is produced by the presence of only the slightly spaced plies 38 inthe peiripheral zone. However, the mutual supporting effect of the narrower plies 39 between plies 38 keeps the latter in proper balanced alignment, preventing the weakness and flopping characteristic of the ordinary soft buff. If made from fabric having stiffer warp than Woof threads, this type of buff embodies unidirectional rotary slope of the warp threads in the periphery While retaining the high strength convolute and uncut inner peripheral construction @as noted. it will further be noted that the section 40, Figure 6, may be particularly adapted to services requiring variousdegrees of yield or softness, by varying the radial extent of the supporting plies 39.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the invention provides a buff structure adaptable to a wide range strength and balance requisite for 4 of: services while retaining in all forms the inherent the highest speed operation. The described augmented strength of the inner convolute and folded zone renders unduly heavy lateral clamping or use of adhesives unnecessary, allowing comparatively free outward air percolation to effect improved and eflicient cooling.

The section has been generally described as preferably constructed by a machine such as that shown in my previously mentioned copending application Serial Number 314,977, but it obviously may if desired also be made by other means such as the method shown in my Patent Number 2,576,364, in which latter case the resistance to tearing illustrated in Figure 11 is elfective against the re taining cord, cable or wire in the same manner as against the staples 32.

While the invention has been described in preferred form, it is not limited to the precise embodiments illusi hated, as various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In a fabric bufling annulus, in combination, a. plurality of plies laid together in helical relation and comprising a single strip of bias-cut fabric having a continuous longitudinal sharp fold whereby each turn of said helix includes two :of said plies, said fold being spaced unequal distances from the edges of said strip, whereby alternate plies in said annulus may have unequal outer diameters, the inner zone of said annulus being formed in a plurality of uniform circumferentially spaced convolutions each including all said plies in closely packed relation and having an inner zonal periphery comprising said continuous sharp fold, and means to bind said convolutions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 15,226 Levett Nov. 15, 1921 1,404,620 Levett I an. 24, 1922 2,004,623 Yohe June 11, 1935 2,130,849 Kreil-ick et a1. Sept. 20, 1938 2,531,249 Blair et a1. Nov. 21, 1950 2,559,385 Baht July 3, 1951 2,562,688 Baht July 31, 1951 2,572,093 Bahr et a1. M Oct. 23, 1951 2,642,706 Davies June 23, 1953 

